Pony Up

My natural proclivities tend toward optimism.  During these past three years of pandemic disruptions, though, I’ve had to remind myself more than once of the old joke about “there’s a pony in there somewhere.” As I visit with folks, parents and grandparents, we’re beginning to see the pony. It really is there! Our pony has […]


Educational Freedom

My schooling consisted of six elementary schools, one junior high, one high school, three colleges and two Montessori institutes. I’ve attended schools in Oklahoma, Arkansas, Oregon, Ohio, Washington, D.C, Germany, and Costa Rica.  The similarities in all these schools are striking in the fact that the teacher lectured at the front of the room; there […]


FREE WEBINAR | Understanding How Children Learn To Read

understanding how children learn to read

Want FUN activities to do with preschoolers? Want to feel confident about children’s reading? In Understanding How Children Learn To Read, you’ll learn: You’ll also be able to ask me questions during this session. Parent or teacher, you’ll get FUN tips to help children with important skills. To watch this “instant” FREE session, sign up below. […]


Why Can Johnny Still Not Read?

Doing some research the other day I reviewed some statistics on the literacy rate in the United States. The national literacy test is given every ten years, with the last results from 2014. These 2014 statistics are what I quote in my reading webinar.  Since the late 70’s I have been involved with adult and […]


BOOK | Food Fix

Dirt

Over the past few years, I keep reading health statistics that concern me deeply. “Why?” is an important question for me to ask.  Contemplating those figures, a bright future for our children, or any of us, seems against the odds. Dr. Mark Hyman dove into the issue of our poor health and put his findings […]


FREE WEBINAR | What About Kindergarten? A Montessori Perspective

What about kindergarten?

It’s a perennial problem for Montessori schools. How can we show parents the importance of the third year of our programs for children 3 to 6 years old? Because the third year in a Montessori program is truly a leap year! This is a session that you will want to let all of your school […]


FREE WEBINAR | How To Help With Spelling

how to help with spelling

Is spelling dead? In today’s tech world with computerized dictation programs, along with the ability to use spelling autocorrect as we write, there is an educational faction that says that learning to spell is unimportant, that spelling is dead. Research shows, though, that being a competent speller increases… Learning to be a good speller is […]


BOOK | Stolen Focus

It’s been a long time coming.   And now it seems to me we can’t ignore our situation any longer. It may have begun in 1989 with the introduction of Game Boy, which for those of you who don’t know, was played on a handheld device that required only the use of thumbs. By 1993 […]


The Normalization Series

allowing opportunities for movement

NORMALIZATION: The Process of Natural and Normal Child Development Another Montessori idea closely aligned with the child’s sensitive periods of development is the idea of the process of normalization, or natural and normal development. You may enjoy these articles about how to see your child’s natural and normal development:


FREE WEBINAR | Ain’t Misbehavin’

child's actions are development driven

In this session, Ain’t Misbehavin’, we’ll consider the adult’s perception of children’s behavior.  We’ll explore an important dynamic, often hidden, that drives human behavior. When we are involved in conflict with children it may be easy to overlook this basic motivational force.  What is this force that drives behavior?  Personal needs.  Children’s actions are judged as misbehaviors […]